THE United Kingdom was shocked when Prime Minister Theresa May made a u-turn to call a snap general election for June 8.

Her announcement on the steps of 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning urged MPs to give her the two-thirds backing she needs, as she seeks "strong and stable leadership" ahead of key Brexit negotiations with Europe.

Liberal Democrat leader and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron declared the poll was a chance for voters to avert a 'disastrous' Brexit.

And looking closer to home he said: "It is a privilege to be the MP for the area I live in and love, and I am proud of the things we have achieved together over the last 12 years. Local people will judge me on my record fighting for the South Lakes.

“We have fought hard for our local health services, and have repeatedly stopped plans to close our hospital and remove vital services. Those services are now under renewed threat. I will continue to do all I can to fight for local health services.

“This election is an opportunity to send a message to the government that they must fund our health and care services properly.”

Two years ago the Conservatives reduced Mr Farron's majority from the 2010 election from 12,264 to 8,949. Their candidate to stand in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency will be announced next week.

Cllr James Airey, Conservative Group Leader, said: “We now have two very important elections in a matter of weeks. On May 4 local people have a critical opportunity to secure a brighter future for Cumbria. On June 8 we must secure a strong mandate for our Prime Minister in her negotiations to build a better Britain.

“Now the election has been triggered and we know that this will be fought along existing parliamentary boundaries, a process to select a great Conservative candidate to represent democracy in this constituency has already commenced and we will announce this next week.”

Andrew Lucas, who was appointed by local Conservatives as their Operations and Development Manager at the beginning of April, said: “We need this election now to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond. We will stick to our Plan for a Stronger Britain and take the right long-term decisions for a more secure future. The choice on June 8 is between strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives – or weak and unstable coalition government led by Jeremy Corbyn.”

Labour are yet to name their candidate, but Paul Braithwaite, chairman of South Lakes Labour, said a decision would be made soon.

"We haven't sorted the candidate yet because it was that much of a surprise to everybody," he said. "I didn't think she (Mrs May) would go to the country but I think it's an attempt by the Conservatives to get their vision of Brexit through because Theresa May became PM without a vote. I think she's going to the country to get backing for her type of Brexit."

Mr Braithwaite was confident Labour could mount a serious challenge for the Westmorland and Lonsdale seat, saying that in addition to Brexit, local NHS services, education and house prices will be the key battlegrounds.

UKIP's candidate last time around was Alan Piper - and he has put his hat into the ring as the likely candidate for June 8.

"There aren't any other candidates – as far as I know I'll get the invitation to stand," he said.

Mr Piper was third most voted for candidate in 2015 with just over 3,000 votes, and he said he admired Mrs May's decision to call an election.

"My first reaction was one of surprise but secondly I really admire it," he said. "Yes there was some local issues with the Conservatives in the last election but the Brexit thing is interesting because she's really going for it.

"We need a strong Brexit and we need it quickly given what's going on around us."

The 2015 general election represented the first time the Green party contested the South Lakes seat. Candidate Chris Loynes received the fewest votes, but Westmorland and Lonsdale Green Party committee member Laura Miller said this campaign would be about growth and creating links with other parties.

"It's early days for us and we're a small party so we're meeting with our committee to discuss what we will be campaigning for locally, but a discussion on a fairer electoral system would be high on my agenda," she said.

The Green Party was understood to be meeting yesterday evening (Wednesday) when its candidate would be discussed.

David Morris MP (Conservative, Morecambe and Lunesdale), Rory Stewart MP (Conservative, Penrith and the Border), and John Woodcock MP (Labour, Barrow and Furness), have all said they will be re-standing for their constituencies.

The Westmorland Gazette will be extensively covering the run-up to the election with detailed focus on each constituency.